Dean Karnazes is an American ultra marathon runner, and author of four books.
Dean is known for completing a number of endurance events, and his Most notable achievements include:
- Ran 350 miles (560 km) in 80 hours and 44 minutes without sleep in 2005
- Single-handedly completed "The Relay", a 199-mile (320 km) run from Calistoga to Santa Cruz, eleven times
- Ran a marathon to the South Pole in −13 °F (−25 °C) temperatures without snowshoes in 2002
- Ran a marathon in each of the 50 states in 50 consecutive days in 2006
- Winner, Badwater Ultramarathon (135 miles (217 km) across Death Valley in 120 °F (49 °C) temperatures)
- 148 miles (238 km) in 24 hours on a treadmill, 2004
- Ran 3,000 miles (4,800 km) across the United States from Disneyland to New York City in 75 days
Dean has been heralded as:
- Competitor magazine Endurance Athlete of the Year Award winner, 2008, 2006, 2005
- ESPN "Best Outdoor Athlete", 2007
- Men's Journal, Adventure Hall of Fame, 2007
- Outside magazine, Ultimate Top 10 Outdoor Athletes, 2004
In the episode we discuss:
- Avoiding injuries
- How his mind is the major strength of getting through an ultra marathon
- How running gifts him with a sense of presence
- How running puts life into perspective
- So many of the limitations we put on ourselves are self contrived
- Rules of engagement for runners
- 50 in 50
- Death Valley
- His inability to build up lactic acid
- How he is a US sports ambassador and how running is the great equalizer
- Why human connection is so important
- Plan to run a marathon in all 203 countries within 1 year
Books:
- Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
- The Road to Sparta: Reliving the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Footrace
- 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!
- Run! 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss
